# Witchcraft meaning: a beginner's guide to modern witchcraft

> Witchcraft is the practice of magic. Today it usually means modern witchcraft, a nature-based spiritual path; Wicca is one religion within it, and a witch is anyone who practises.

- Published by Holistic Tree: 2026-10-15; last reviewed 2026-10-15
- URL: https://holistictree.co.uk/guides/witchcraft-meaning

## Key points

- Witchcraft means the practice of magic, and today most people use the word for modern witchcraft, a nature-based spiritual path.
- Wicca is one religion within modern witchcraft, popularised in England by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s.
- Many witches follow moon phases and the eight sabbats of the Wheel of the Year, and keep their notes in a Book of Shadows.
- You can start with a few simple tools: a candle, an altar cloth, a notebook and perhaps a wand or a spell kit.
- Care for your tools with dusting and cool, dry storage, and never leave a lit candle or incense unattended.

## What does witchcraft mean?

Witchcraft is the practice of magic. Today, when most people say witchcraft, they mean modern witchcraft: a nature-based spiritual path built around the seasons, the moon and simple rituals. **Wicca** is one religion within it, with its own festivals and ethics. A **witch** is anyone who practises witchcraft, of any gender.

Ready to look around? Browse our [witchcraft supplies](/witchcraft-supplies) for altar tools, spell kits, candles and journals, chosen for beginner witches and seasoned practitioners alike.

The word is old, and for centuries it carried fear. In the UK, the Witchcraft Act 1735 was not repealed until 1951. In the 1950s Gerald Gardner popularised Wicca in England, and modern witchcraft grew into the open, varied path it is today.

Here is how the main words fit together:

- **Witchcraft** is the practice: spells, rituals, divination and marking the seasons.
- **Wicca** is a religion that includes witchcraft, often honouring a goddess and a god.
- **Paganism** is the wider family of nature-based paths that both belong to.

So every Wiccan practises witchcraft, but not every witch is Wiccan. Many people call themselves **eclectic** witches, which simply means they draw on several traditions.

Two symbols turn up everywhere. A **pentagram** is a five-pointed star, and a **pentacle** is a disc or plate with a pentagram in a circle. Our [Black Pentagram Wall Shelf, 40 cm](/products/pentagram-wall-shelf) (£18.99) is black MDF, 40 x 40 x 7 cm, with two hooks on the reverse for hanging. A **besom** is a witch's broom, and the [Crescent Moon Mini Magick Broomstick](/products/crescent-moon-mini-magick-broomstick) (£4.49) is a 10.5 cm version made of natural grasses, with a silver tone crescent moon charm. It arrives in a black gift box, a good fit for an altar shelf.

- [Black Pentagram Wall Shelf, 40 cm](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/pentagram-wall-shelf): £18.99
- [Crescent Moon Mini Magick Broomstick](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/crescent-moon-mini-magick-broomstick): £4.49

## How do people practise witchcraft today?

There is no single rulebook, and that is part of the appeal. Most practice rests on a few shared building blocks.

**The moon.** Many witches plan rituals around the phases of the moon. In many traditions the new moon is linked with fresh starts and the full moon with celebration.

**The Wheel of the Year.** This is a cycle of eight seasonal festivals, called **sabbats**, that many witches and pagans follow:

- Samhain (31 October)
- Yule (winter solstice)
- Imbolc (1 February)
- Ostara
- Beltane
- Litha (summer solstice)
- Lammas
- Mabon

The [Wheel of the Year Altar Cards with Stand](/products/wheel-of-the-year-altar-cards-with-stand) (£9.49) give you eight illustrated paper cards, one for each sabbat, and a natural wooden stand, so you can display the current festival.

**Spells.** In modern witchcraft, a **spell** is a focused ritual. You set an intention and act it out with candles, herbs, words or symbols. Candle magic is a popular first step. The [Moon Magic Spell Candle Kit](/products/moon-magic-spell-candle-ritual-kit) (£6.49) holds 12 white unscented spell candles and a wooden holder, made for intention setting and moon ceremonies.

**The altar.** An **altar** is a small surface set aside for your tools and rituals. Our guide on [how to set up an altar](/guides/how-to-set-up-an-altar) walks you through it.

**The Book of Shadows.** A **Book of Shadows** is a witch's journal of spells and rituals. The [Book of Shadows Journal & Obsidian Crystal Pen](/products/book-of-shadows-journal-with-black-obsidian-crystal-pen) (£9.49) has 200 lined pages, gold cover detailing and a ribbon marker.

**Alone or together.** A **solitary** witch practises alone. A **coven** is a group that meets to practise together. Both paths are equally valid.

**Ethics.** Many Wiccans follow the **Wiccan Rede**, a short ethical guide: "An it harm none, do what ye will." In plain words: act freely, as long as you cause no harm.

- [Wheel of the Year Altar Cards with Stand](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/wheel-of-the-year-altar-cards-with-stand): £9.49
- [Moon Magic Spell Candle Kit](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/moon-magic-spell-candle-ritual-kit): £6.49
- [Book of Shadows Journal & Obsidian Crystal Pen](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/book-of-shadows-journal-with-black-obsidian-crystal-pen): £9.49

## What do you need to start witchcraft, and how do you choose your first tools?

Start small. You do not need a whole witch shop on day one. A strong beginner set is five things:

- **A candle** for simple candle magic.
- **An altar cloth** to mark out your ritual space.
- **A notebook** to use as your Book of Shadows.
- **A wand**, a tool many witches use to direct intention during ritual.
- **A spell kit**, a boxed set of ritual items with instructions, so you can learn by doing.

**Altar cloth.** The [Esoteric Fringed Altar Cloth 50 x 50 cm](/products/esoteric-fringed-altar-cloth) (£4.49) is cotton with a fringed border and comes in six designs, including Moon & Sun Chart, Pentagon and Earth Mother. It fits a shelf, bedside table or windowsill, and it doubles as a tarot reading cloth.

**Wand.** Pick one that feels like yours. The [Man of the Wood Resin Wand 24 cm](/products/man-of-the-wood-wand) (£9.49) is moulded with green leaves and twisting branches, made for natural witches who love Green Man mythology. It is not a toy, so keep it out of reach of young children.

**Spell kit.** The [Happiness Love Spell Kit Herbal Magick](/products/happiness-love-spell-kit-herbal-magick) (£14.99) includes a selenite wand, palo santo, dried sunflowers, an abalone shell and a guide book. It is put together for beginners learning spellcraft. The herbs and palo santo are for ritual use, not for eating.

**How to choose your first tools:**

- Buy what you will use this month, not everything at once.
- Choose designs you love, because you will see them every day.
- Check sizes against your space before you order.
- Build over time: add a goblet, offering plate or crystals as your practice grows.

There is no wrong place to begin. Many witches start with one candle and one notebook, and that is a real practice.

- [Esoteric Fringed Altar Cloth 50 x 50 cm](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/esoteric-fringed-altar-cloth): £4.49
- [Man of the Wood Resin Wand 24 cm](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/man-of-the-wood-wand): £9.49
- [Happiness Love Spell Kit Herbal Magick](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/happiness-love-spell-kit-herbal-magick): £14.99

## How do you care for and cleanse your witchcraft tools?

Good care keeps your tools looking their best and your practice safe.

**Everyday care**

- Dust wands, wall pieces and altar figures with a soft, dry cloth.
- Shake out altar cloths and fold them away when not in use.
- Store candles somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun, so they keep their shape.
- Wipe offering plates and goblets after each ritual.

The [Enamelled Offering Plate or Ritual Goblet](/products/enamelled-goddess-offering-plate) (from £16.99) comes as one of two enamelled aluminium plates on three legs, 16 x 4 cm, or one of two metal goblets. The plates have smooth enamel that is easy to clean. Clean the iron Pentagon goblet gently by hand and avoid harsh abrasives. The copper-finish Tree of Life goblet becomes very hot if you burn incense in it, so fill it with sand and stand it on a heat-resistant surface.

**Cleansing by tradition**

In witchcraft, **cleansing** is a ritual that marks a tool as ready for sacred use. Common traditions include:

- leaving tools by a window under the full moon overnight;
- setting them beside a small dish of salt;
- passing them through incense smoke or the smoke of a white sage bundle.

Our guide to [sage meaning](/guides/sage-meaning) covers white sage bundles in more depth.

**Flame safety**

- Use a heatproof mat or holder for every candle.
- Never leave a lit candle or incense unattended.
- Keep flames away from children, pets, curtains and draughts.
- Open a window for ventilation when burning incense or herbs.
- Follow the burn guidance on each pack.

Keep spare candles ready for the next ritual. The [Black Spell Candles, Pack of 12](/products/set-of-12-black-protection-spell-candles) (£4.49) are unscented and vegan, with an approximate burn time of 90 minutes. They come in a windowed picture box that slips neatly into a dry drawer.

- [Enamelled Offering Plate or Ritual Goblet](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/enamelled-goddess-offering-plate): From £16.99
- [Black Spell Candles, Pack of 12](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/set-of-12-black-protection-spell-candles): £4.49

## What goes well with your first tools?

Once your basics are in place, a few pairings round out your altar.

**Sage and incense.** Many witches open a ritual with a cleansing ritual using a white sage bundle or incense. The [Summer Solstice Litha Spell Kit](/products/summer-solstice-litha-spell-kit) (£18.99) includes a sunflower sage bundle, palo santo, a selenite wand, a natural abalone shell and an information card with Litha altar guidance. It is ready-made for marking the summer solstice. For everyday rituals, browse our [incense](/incense) range.

**Crystals.** Crystals sit on many altars, chosen for their colour and their traditional associations in folklore. Explore our [crystals](/crystals) to find pieces you like.

**Tarot and runes.** **Divination** means reading cards, symbols or signs as a way to reflect on a question. Many witches add it to their practice. Start with [tarot cards for beginners](/guides/tarot-cards-for-beginners) or [runes meaning](/guides/runes-meaning).

**Cauldron.** A **cauldron** is a classic altar pot, used in ritual to burn herbs or hold water. Read [cauldron meaning](/guides/cauldron-meaning) before you choose one.

**Gifts for a witchy friend**

- A small, charming gift: the [Crescent Moon Mini Magick Broomstick](/products/crescent-moon-mini-magick-broomstick) (£4.49) in its black gift box.
- For a friend who writes: the [Book of Shadows Journal & Obsidian Crystal Pen](/products/book-of-shadows-journal-with-black-obsidian-crystal-pen) (£9.49).
- Something special: the [Magic Spell Candle Jar Gift Set](/products/magic-spell-candle-jar-gift-set) (£28.49), six mini scented spell candle jars in glass, with scents from red rose to green tea and an approximate burn time of 15 hours.

For more spell candles, see our full [candles](/candles) collection.

Ready to begin? Shop our [witchcraft supplies](/witchcraft-supplies) now and build your first altar today: spell kits, altar cloths, wands, journals and candles, all with tracked UK delivery by Royal Mail or courier and 14-day returns.

- [Summer Solstice Litha Spell Kit](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/summer-solstice-litha-spell-kit): £18.99
- [Magic Spell Candle Jar Gift Set](https://holistictree.co.uk/products/magic-spell-candle-jar-gift-set): £28.49

## Questions

### Is witchcraft legal in the UK?

Yes. The Witchcraft Act 1735 was repealed in 1951. Today witchcraft, Wicca and paganism are practised openly across the UK.

### Do you have to be Wiccan to be a witch?

No. Wicca is one religion within modern witchcraft. Many witches follow other paths or build an eclectic practice of their own.

### Can men be witches?

Yes. A witch is anyone who practises witchcraft, whatever their gender. Many men call themselves witches or Wiccans.

### What is a Book of Shadows?

A Book of Shadows is a witch's journal of spells, rituals and notes. Coven members may copy from a shared book, while solitary witches usually write their own. Any notebook will do, or you can choose a dedicated journal.

### What should a beginner witch buy first?

A candle and a notebook are enough to begin. Add an altar cloth to mark out your space, then a wand or a spell kit as your practice grows. Choose things you will actually use.